I sold my 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass (with only 80,000 miles) to CarMax and bought my 2009 TCH on Tax Day (April 15th). I was barely getting 20mpg on an all city/suburban tank though an all highway would bring a bit over 30mpg. The Cutlass had been very reliable but the leather seats were cracked and torn and then sometime in March it developed a coolant leak that was somehow getting into the engine oil.

With the rising cost of gas, and the repairs being close to the value of the car, I decided a new car was a much better option. I had already been reading a lot about hybrids so it didn't take me long to settle on the TCH.

--A2K

 

Traded in a '05 Tacoma Double Cab V6 with 6 speed manual. Getting 17 miles/gallon was killing me. 3 people at dealership didn't even know that Toyota made a 6 speed double cab. I didn't see it on their lot the weekend after I traded it. Hated to let it go.

 

I traded in my '06 Camry V6 XLE two weeks ago for a '09 TCH. I was always a little annoyed that they changed the body style a few months after I bought the '06. I am enamoured with all the tech in the TCH and I get great FE to boot. I don't really miss any performance from the V6. I don't really care for the sound of the 4-cyl when the horsepower is needed, but the horsepower is there none the less.

 

How is the power in the V6 vs the TCH? Everything I have read says that the power is supposed to be near equivalent.

 

It seems that they've beefed up the V6 for the latest model year. It's 268 vs. 187 for the hybrid. It used to be a lot closer (if memory serves). I've still got the print brochures from the 2007 model year so I can verify when I get home.

Where the TCH really shines is the torque that the electric motors can deliver on demand.

 

Yea I read that about the torque too. Pretty interesting. Isn't that why the Tesla can take off so fast so quick?

 

Yes, the '06 V6 Camry did not have as much HP as the '07-09.

With the CVT in the hybrid, and the instant torque from the electric motor, there isn't any appreciable difference from a standing stop.

I do notice a little less pick-up when passing at high-way speeds though.

However, I've been playing the TCH video game (the energy & consumption screens) and have found myself driving completely differently than I did in the V6.

..

 

Ah yes....welcome to the game. Don't forget to post your "High Score".

 

I'm trying it now...

 

I traded a 2006 Subaru WRX STI. It was an amazing street-legal race car. I found out (too late) that my dream car was too fast, and too bouncy for an older gent (40 now! ). I have always had lots of cars and changed them frequently (over 38 of them so far). I wanted to replace the STI with a comfortable, quiet, high quality car. I had decided on either a TCH or a 08 Lexus ES350. For $10K less I got the same ride, smoothness and quality, not to mention the mileage. I drove them back to back on the same day and was amazed at how good the TCH was.
One thing I should tell you all is that I have also had a 2001 & 2006 Prius. The TCH is light years more comfy, powerful and quiet. All that and only a 5-10 MPG penalty. Well worth it in my book.

I also have an 2008 Honda Fit Sport and 1995 Camry XLE V6 at the moment. What can I say? I like variety.